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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
COMMISH ROUNDUP:
CITY EXPANDS ITS ASSETS
The City of Plant City purchased more property downtown, added some police cars to its units and acquired a few other assets during the commission meeting on Feb. 10. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
In a rapid-fire consent agenda last week, city commissioners approved several resolutions that furthered the city’s assets and later set the stage for a variety of upcoming public hearings.
Using the Florida Sheriff’s Association Bid Award, the city approved the purchase of two police vehicles from Alan Jay Enterprises of Wauchula for $60,549.88. The vehicles are both Pursuit Dodge Durangos. At the beginning of the fiscal year, city commissioners approved the purchase of 12 police vehicles including two patrol pursuit-package Dodge Chargers through the above listed dealer. However,
Photo by Breanne Williams
the manufacturers of the cars cut off vehicle production during the order process, which caused Alan Jay Enterprises to cancel the city’s order for those specific cars.
READY, SET, SOAR
Courtesy of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 The 10th annual Planes, Trains & Automobiles event is right around the corner and Plant City is gearing up for high-flying fun. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Plant City Airport will be flooded with locomotive, aircraft and automobile enthusiasts this Saturday as thousands pour into the 10th annual Planes, Trains & Automobiles event. The event began in 2011 after Jason Jones saw an old photo of the former Strawberry Air Fest, which gave the community a chance to witness planes of all make and build. He wanted to bring a similar event back to town and expanded it to also include classic cars, tricked-out vehicles and train locomotives. Everything from planes and helicopters to model trains, automobiles, a computer flight simulator, Cub Scout activities, K-9 demos and even Scouts BSA Merit Badge Opportunities will be available at the airport, 4007 Airport Road. There’s also a variety of vendors, CSX safety demonstrations, a kids’ play area, remote control planes from the Imperial Radio Control Club and visits from PCPD and PCFR. One of the most exciting parts of the event is the limited flights for children provided by the EAA Young Eagles program for children ages 8 to 17. You must pre-register for the flights at youngeaglesday.org. Admission to the event is free and parking is $5. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony and the trophy presentation will start promptly at 2:30 p.m. This massive community undertaking offers exciting experiences for kids and adults of all ages and easily can fill a day with one-of-a-kind opportunities. Get there early for a good parking spot and first access to the variety of activities.
NEWS BRIEFS
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
HCSO arrests man who shot gun in gas station restroom
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bruce Alan Renner one day after security cameras caught him committing several crimes around town. Renner, 27, was first filmed breaking into an unlocked pickup truck in a driveway on Richey Rosa Lane in Plant City around 8 a.m. Feb. 14. He stole a pistol and a pair of sunglasses, got back into the stolen GMC Sierra pickup truck he arrived in and fled south on Thonotosassa Road. Renner and the driver of the truck, a woman, went to the Marathon convenience store at 12901 Highway 92 East at 8:12 a.m., which is across the street from Independence Academy. Renner entered the restroom and fired one shot from a handgun, then fired off three more shots in the parking lot after leaving the restroom. The pair then left in the truck. The next morning, Renner rear-ended a vehicle in Tampa at Fletcher Avenue and Telecom Drive and fled the scene of the accident. The truck eventually broke down and he continued to flee on foot, but HCSO aviation and K-9 units caught him hiding in a shed. He is facing charges of Grand Theft (Motor Vehicle), Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, Driving with a Suspended License, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Discharge of a Firearm in Public (x4), Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, and Warrants for Grand Theft Third Degree, Dealing in Stolen Property and False Information on a Pawnbroker Form.
Crest student wins VoteHillsborough art contest Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, recognized six schools and three students that excelled in VoteHillsborough’s voter registration and art contests during Tuesday after-
noon’s school board meeting. One of those students was Alexa Weston of Strawberry Crest High School, who won the VoteHillsborough Art Contest and will have her artwork featured in the Supervisor of Elections’ marketing efforts. Crest also placed third in a tie with Steinbrenner and Wharton high schools in the VoteHillsborough Voter Registration Contest, which was based on the percentage of each senior class that registered to vote.
Optimist oratorical contest winners Courtesy of the Office of Congressman Ross Spano
The Plant City Optimist Club hosted its Durant High School’s JROTC recently visited Washington, D.C. and took in the sights with Ross annual Oratorical Contest on Feb. 17 and Spano. tasked four area students to “imagine a Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way work ground covers, then plant more than 60 world without boundaries.” native trees in the area. The recommended together to identify areas of need and FTB More than 40 people came out to watch sends the pantries, which give away the each student speak for four to five minutes attire includes rubber boots and long groceries for free, to those people. Volunpants, work gloves (which can be supplied at a time and Plant City High School stuteers typically help host the grocery stores dent Taryn Storter won first place. Second- by the project if needed) and closed-toe and also help shoppers find what they shoes. It’s also recommended to bring place finisher Shad Stevens, of Strawneed. shovels and rakes and a reusable water berry Crest High School, will advance with All ages are able to volunteer, but chilbottle. Storter to the Zone 6 Contest in Mulberry dren must be accompanied by a parent or All ages are welcome to participate, but on March 30 as the two get ready to take an adult. Each pantry requires eight to 10 anyone younger than 18 must fill out an on the top finishers from the Lakeland and volunteers and FTB’s website allows anyindividual liability waiver and bring it on Winter Haven Optimist Club contests. one to sign up for specific dates and times March 7 with a parent’s or guardian’s sigCatherine Hamilton (Plant City High to work. The service does count toward nature. Visit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ School) and Angelina Welsh (Durant High any high school graduation requirements 1FAIpQLSfyU7MfnvuOGICu7rKnuegJuQC School) finished in third and fourth place, for community service. V3C2VCxt2nt3S8WNz95rD6A/viewform respectively. “We want to see a hunger-free Tampa to register online. Follow that link or call “This activity is very important to help Bay by 2025,” External Affairs Officer William Moriaty at 813-514-3941 for more prepare our young people for their future Shannon Oliveiro said. “What that means information. by developing their public speaking skills,” is there will be access in the 10 counties Optimist Club President Dave Robbins said we serve where people will know where to in a news release. find food.” Feeding Tampa Bay Visit feedingtampabay.org/ to sign up looking for help and learn more. Volunteers needed for
wetland project
The HCC Plant City Campus Wetland and Stormwater Enhancement Project is going strong, but it’s hitting a slight snag and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and TREE, Inc. could use the public’s help. Volunteers are needed at 9 a.m. March 7 to help clear invasive vines and other
Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mobile Pantry Program brings healthy groceries to those in need around the 10-county region and it’s growing fast. That also means volunteers are needed to help FTB operate them in eastern Hillsborough and parts of Polk County. Volunteers can help hungry people year-round through the mobile pantries.
Durant ROTC visits DC Last week, Durant High School’s Air Force JROTC visited Washington, D.C. and met with Congressman Ross Spano (FL-15).
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
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ART WOOD AND ERIC JOHNSON
APPOINTED TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW BOARD
Every five years, the Charter Review Board is appointed to review any and all phases of county government. Commissioner Stacy White appointed Art Wood and Eric Johnson to represent District 4. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Two local residents have been appointed to ensure the Hillsborough County Charter is up to par with the needs of the current community. Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White appointed Art Wood and Eric Johnson to represent District 4 on the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board, which is formed every five years to review the current county government. This is Wood’s second time on the board and Johnson’s first. In an interesting turn of events the majority of those appointed for the board are coming to the table for the very first time. “I got on the board for the first time five years ago and ended up being made the chairman,” Wood said. “This time around it’s a little different because there are more Democrats on the board than Republicans, so it will be interesting to see what issues are brought to the table and how they are analyzed by this group sitting on the board. Everything we consider on the Charter Review Board has political undertones and it can be very challenging at times to really get to the bottom of an issue.” Though Wood has experience on this particular board, Johnson is no stranger to serving. He was appointed by White to serve on the county’s Citizens Advisory Committee, which he now chairs, and is well known throughout the community as a member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, where he serves on its Government Affairs Committee. He also is known for his role as Director of Community and Government Relations, with Hillsborough Community College, where he handles the federal, state and local government and community relations for the college. Each county commissioner selects two representatives and the 14 appointees then take approximately one year to analyze every phase of the county government. It’s a studious task and District 4’s representatives are hoping the community will reach out and share its thoughts so they will be able to go to the dais prepared to address the causes close to their community’s heart. Commissioners from Districts 1 through 4 must select members from their individual districts as their representatives, but the countywide commissioners have no restrictions as long as they reside in the county. None of the appointees, however, can be elected officials. Over the years, several controversial topics have been brought before the board
and Wood said he expects this year to be no different. If there is a topic county commissioners feel the board should handle rather than them, they will “kick it over.” If the community has evolved and there is a social issue on the precipice, that topic will more than likely be brought up during the meeting’s public comment time if it is not addressed by a board member themselves. Though nothing is set in stone, one of the topics the board expects to address this year is redistricting in one form or another, which could lead to a potential increase in commissioners or a change in how districts are represented. This could impact the diversity of county commissioners, but would also play a role in how neighborhoods are split up for political power. “Hillsborough County has had so much growth in the past few years, so I think you’re going to see people possibly talk about increasing the amount of districts that we have,” Johnson said. “I’m assuming that will pop up at some point, and we will have to see what other changes the public might come in and address. I think there will be plenty of opportunity for the public to come in and address the changes they believe need to be made, and we will be able to address if there are changes we need to make based off of some of the opinions brought to us.” In the past, the board has also discovered the need for new positions like an internal auditor. There’s always a chance the current board could find there is a demand for other offices and create them for the county. The issue regarding the charter’s lack of explicit definition for sexual orientation and gender identity in its discrimination policy was brought to the table five years ago when the board last met. The board at that time felt the ordinance was fine as it was written, but there’s a very good chance the topic will be brought up again this time around. Currently, section 9.11 of the county charter states under the Discrimination is Prohibited ordinance that “To be consistent with federal and state constitutions, laws, rules, and regulations, the county government shall not deprive any person of any right because of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, or political affiliation. The administrative code shall provide adequate means for protecting these rights, including equal opportunity assurances.” There may be a push to add sexual orientation and gender identity to that definition. The ban on same-sex marriage was lifted in June of 2015, during the same time the board last converged. The culture throughout the county has shifted over the last five years and, though the issue drew
a packed house five years ago, there is a chance it will once again prove a heavilyviewed topic this time around as well. Addressing so many wide ranging issues is daunting and the appointees have to be prepared. The hope is they’ve done their homework, but that’s where the public’s input can become so crucial to the process. If there’s something the community feels needs to be addressed, it’s essential they bring the issue to the board’s attention so they have time to analyze and further look into the topic. “Because of what my role is in the community, it allows me to be able to probably hear about these items in advance and talk more about some of the things that are possibly going to pop up, and that allows me to definitely bring a lot to the table because I’m involved locally in the community and definitely like to listen to what the public is talking about,” Johnson said. “And I also am able to listen to some of the other stakeholders in the community and hear their thoughts, as well. A lot of this requires you to be familiar with the charter itself and I’m honored that Commissioner White appointed me to the board.” Many of the appointees are well-versed in local politics, but there is a wide range of backgrounds this time around. One appointee is a retired professor and another is a former mayor. Their diverse backgrounds may bring a variety of mindsets to the table. But for the first time in years, it also raises an interesting query on how the group will function surrounding a variety of hot-button topics. “I really just try to stay in tune with issues important to the community,” Wood said. “While I know what’s going on in Hillsborough County, I was appointed by Stacy White to represent this community’s interests, so I will make sure that is at the forefront of my mind as we look at different issues. But around town, I’m not difficult to find. I’m at every commission meeting, you’ll find me at all sorts of community and city events and I try to stay involved as much as I can around the community. I’m also on the Planning Board of Plant City so I try to stay on top of everything and have a clear idea of what is impacting our community as a whole.” Plant City is a part of Hillsborough County and thus directly impacted by the way the county makes its decisions. Conceivably, any district could be abolished and reimagined during the County Charter Review Board’s term of service and the changes they make during their analysis could trickle down to impact Plant City as a whole as money flows from the county to the city. The group will meet the first Tuesday of every month at the County Center’s second
floor board room, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend and, like every other city meeting, there is always room for public comment. However, if someone is interested in discussing a topic but cannot make the meeting, they are welcome to contact Wood or Johnson beforehand or submit a comment online via a comment form at hillsboroughcounty.org/en/government/boards-and-committees/a-d/ charter-review-board.
Courtesy photo
Art Wood has prior experience with the Charter Review Board, having served five years ago.
Courtesy photo
Eric Johnson is serving on the Charter Review Board for the first time, but is an experienced public servant.
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COPS CORNER
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
PLANT CITY
Observer
This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated careless firearm handling, fake checks, four stolen TVs
Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com
from Walmart and much more.
Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez
FEB. 7 THIS WEEK ON ‘COPS’ 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Retail theft: Officers responded to Walmart in reference to the theft of four 32-inch TCL TVs. HOLE-Y MOLY 3500 block of James L. Redman Parkway Criminal mischief: Officers noticed the business at the above listed location did not have any power and, upon conducting a security check, they found a hole located in the rear of the building.
FEB. 8
SWIPER NO SWIPING 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Felony retail theft: Officers responded to Walmart in reference to a theft. A man and a woman were arrested and the theft was valued at more than $900. Both were transported to Orient Road Jail.
FEB. 12
FEB. 10
COLD-HEARTED CROOK 200 block of Sugar Creek Drive Fraud: Officers made contact with the victim at the above listed location who was selling a refrigerator on Offer Up. The victim was given a fake $2,500 cashier’s check for a $500 item.
THIS BUD’S NOT FOR YOU 1100 block of East Baker Street Retail theft waiver of prosecution: Officers responded to the Sunoco gas station in reference to a theft of an eight pack of Budweiser beer. A waiver of prosecution form was completed.
FAST AND THE FURIOUS 700 block of Wiggins Court Warrant arrest: A juvenile was arrested for a Polk County warrant for Reckless Driving with serious injury. He was transported to JAC.
EVERYTHING MUST GO FEB. 11 Devane Street, Evers Street, Young Street and Johnson Street TARGET PRACTICE Vehicle burglaries: Officers 300 block of Waller Street responded to the 700 block of Criminal mischief: Officers East Devane Street, the 100 block responded to the above listed loof South Evers Street, the 400 cation in reference to rocks being block of East Young Street and thrown at a variety of vehicles. Edited by David Steinberg February the 1100 block of North Johnson Street in reference to a string of 56 Singer ACROSS 21 Nile’s car burglaries.
Universal Crossword
DiFranco 1 Neutral shade 57 Routing word 6 Pitchfork58 Literary wielding name for a crowd demolition 9 They go business? through loops 63 Big black bird 14 Chef’s wrap 64 Name that’s 15 Melber on 15-Across MSNBC backward 16 Flashy 65 Stays fresh display 68 “Take it easy!” 17 Ring-shaped 69 Fix, as cake type a game 18 A joker might 70 Continental pull yours cash 19 Capital of 71 “Deck the Bangladesh Halls” 20 Literary greenery name for a 72 Had burglar alarm 73 “Buy U company? a Drank 23 Opposite (Shawty of pos. Snappin’)” 24 Mimic rapper 25 ___ WednesDOWN day 1 Key below ~ 26 Literary 2 Hindu in “The name for a Simpsons” Overpack 50animal Years Serving the 3 Big vases feed shop? 4 One-horse 32 Texter’s town qualifier This week’s Sudoku answers5 Menu 33 Source heading after of chips Appetizers, 34 Train stop perhaps 38 Microsoft 6 Shopping search engine venue 40 Driving 7 Two-tone hazards? treat 43 Sheet of glass 8 Tiger, 44 Likely to take for one a bite out of 9 Tousled hair one’s wallet condition 46 Tickled-pink 10 Rebound, feeling like sound 48 This puzzle’s 11 Alpaca title, e.g. relative 49 Literary 12 Seizes name for a 13 Money under martini bar? 53 Open ___ the mattress, night e.g.
HANDS UP AT HAMPTON 2700 block of Thonotosassa Road Business Robbery: An unknown subject entered the Hampton Inn at the above listed location and showed the desk clerk a handgun. They then demanded money from the registers and fled the scene.
21, 2020
Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com
YOU’RE A MEAN ONE, MR. GRINCH 4300 block Sterling Commerce Drive/Fairfield Inn Theft/Waiver: Officers met with the victim, who advised someone broke into the Fairfield Inn and removed three gift boxes sometime between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Feb. 12.
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Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com
GUN CONTROL North Turkey Creek Road/ West Highway 574 Reckless/careless display of a firearm: An officer saw a man with a handgun running across West Highway 574. He was placed under arrest for reckless/careless display of a firearm and was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.
The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.
FEB. 13
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SERVE LOOKS, NOT TIME 230 block of West Alexander Street Retail theft: Officers responded to Marshalls in reference to a delayed theft of $900 worth of men’s clothing. Marshalls signed a waiver of prosecution since it eventually recovered the clothes.
To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.
42 Start of a rally northernmost 45 How to see country the obvious 22 European 47 Apple Wallet VAC ATTACK driver’s item 100 block of South Merrin Street measure: 50 End of many Residential burglary: During Abbr. company the night of Feb. 12, an unknown 26 “Mine!” names suspect cut a screen to the vic27 Leave 51 TV personality tim’s front porch and stole a black unmentioned Meredith 20-gallon shop-style vacuum. 28 How many 52 Early kind Oscars of call Glenn Close 53 Concert has won goods, 29 “We’re on slangily$100 OFF ___ way!” 54 Sun Valley’s On any job 1000 more when you 30 Words of state ormention We’re On Top of It this ad. wisdom 55 Polite 31 Informal 59 Took a NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS affirmative tumble We’re On TILE • TILE REPAIRS We’re On Top Top of of It It 35 Daddy, in 60 Subpoena, HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS NEW ROOFS • • RE-ROOFS SHINGLES • VENTILATION Honduras for one NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS 36 Cross 61 All the ___ HOT TAR/FLAT HOT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS to bear (very popular) SHINGLES • VENTILATION 25SHINGLES Years of E•xVENTILATION perience LEAKS REPAIRED LEAKS REPAIRED RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 37 It’s often 62 Word 2 52Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee packed up in repeated the morning after “que” Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! 39 Prefix for Leak & Re-Roofing 66 Polynesian & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! LeakLeak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS Free • Financing Available “thermal” paste Estimates 24-Hour “tag” Area 67Emergency Nine-digit ID Plantor City 24-HourService Emergency Service 24-Hour Emergency Service 41 Gaza Strip Buddy & CrystalBuddy Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners Cheaves, Crystal Cheaves, Owners www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured grp. Lic # CCC1325993 Bonded &•Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic #•CCC1325993 Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com $
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This week’s Crossword PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER
468318-1 468318-1
813-982-0218 813-982-0218 813-982-0218
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813-752-4155
RESRIEDSEINDTENIATLIA&L & OMM ERECRICAIALL COCM
This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers
Puzzle Solution:
“I act, but I’m a mother first and wife second. Acting is... about exploring the human soul.” ~ Annette Bening
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
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5
COMMISH ROUNDUP:
CITY APPROVES NEW PURCHASES
FROM PAGE 1
The purchase of two properties downtown sets the city up for future development opportunities. Commissioners also agreed to finalize prior purchase commitments.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
After reassessing, the city agreed to change its order to Dodge Durangos. The change is a difference of $12,492.22, which is within the budgeted funds for the fiscal year. Plant City Fire Rescue also got a boost thanks to a grant from Hillsborough County. The grant covered $5,379 for the fire department to purchase EMS supplies to improve and expand pre-hospital emergency medical services. One of the more exciting aspects of the evening was also hidden away in the consent agenda. City commissioners agreed to purchase two small properties in the heart of downtown. The first, located on South Wheeler Street and West J. Arden Mays Blvd., cost the city $425,000 plus any and all closing costs. Now that it has been approved, the city has until March 31 to exercise the option to purchase. The second property was located at 203 West J. Arden Mays Blvd. Like the other property, the city has a window to survey the property and then close a deal. This lot costs $120,000 plus any and all closing costs and both properties are funded via the money available in the city’s CRA Fund under the property acquisition pot. “Right now, the first step is to do something with the property that is a better look
than overgrown old asphalt and a chain link fence,” McDaniel said. “The ultimate goal, of course, is to put it up for redevelopment. That’s such a prime corner and hopefully with all the partnerships we are building and the interest that is growing, it will put the city in a good position to work a development deal on it.” The meeting on Feb. 10 also held the first of two public hearings on an ordinance amendment to sections of Chapter 102, which refers to outdoor uses in commercial zoning districts. McDaniel said the amendments “doesn’t take anything away,” and is acting more as a “code maintenance issue.” The change will help align various code sections to make them more compatible and consistent, which in turn allows the city to have a clearer view on how they must conduct and approve uses in commercially zoned areas. It’s wordy and a little confusing, but the change will essentially make sure the rules regarding outdoor uses in commercially zoned districts are all clearcut. The city summarized the changes thusly:
building, except where expressly allowed in Section 102-1045.’ 2. Section 102-492. Required Conditions is amended to change the reference to ‘Section 102-1045 Outdoor Uses.’ 3. Section 102-1045 is adding reference to the zoning districts and adds ‘retail nurser-
Courtesy photos The City purchased vacant properties in downtown.
ies, drive-in theaters, miniature golf, and other similar uses.’” The next and final public hearing on the change will be held on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
1. “Sections 102-491 (C-1A, Neighborhood Business District), 102-536 (C-1B Neighborhood Business District), 102-576 (C-1, General Commercial District), and Section 102-616 (C-2, General Commercial District) have been modified to add a portion or all of the wording ‘all uses shall be done within a completely enclosed
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ILLINOIS PARKER The Bealsville resident, who has lived in the Plant City area since 1949, turns 100 today and also celebrated on Feb. 15 with a big family party.
Photos by Justin Kline
Shana Hayes and her grandmother, Illinois Parker, celebrated Parker’s 100th birthday surrounded by family. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
When you’ve lived as long and rich a life as Illinois Blakely Parker has, you deserve a big birthday bash. That’s exactly what Parker got on Feb. 15, when dozens upon dozens of family members came together to throw her a surprise party at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lakeland. “It’s such a blessing to have her here,” granddaughter Shana Hayes said. “She’s still very much with it. She knows every event. She still watches the news. She knows who the President is. She knows all her grandchildren and everyone. She can hold a conversation with you and she’s in great mental health.” Parker was born Feb. 20, 1920 in Georgia and lived there until 1949, when she moved in Plant City. She started working
at Lakeland General Hospital in 1962 and spent more than 20 years at the hospital until her retirement, but her passion for that work never wavered: after she retired from the Lakeland hospital, Parker went to South Florida Baptist Hospital and joined its crew of “pink lady” volunteers. Faith has always been a major part of Parker’s life and she spent many years helping the church give back to the community. When she attended St. Mary’s Community Church, she lent countless hours of her time to help the church feed homeless and otherwise food insecure people in the area. She now attends Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, which is much closer to her home. Parker’s life advice for everyone is to “always do your best and always do the right thing,” and her many years of service in the community are proof she practices what she preaches. “Treat everybody like you want to be treated,” grandson Dewayne Simpson said. “She instilled that in our brains all the time. Go to church, respect people, she taught us all that. She was Big Mama. She brought everybody together and she’s still doing it. I love her to death.” Parker and her husband, David, did everything they could to make sure their five children grew up in a stable, loving home and didn’t have to worry about food, which often came from the Parkers working in fruit and veg-
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etable fields. When they weren’t working and had some free time, they loved to go fishing together and did so until David’s passing in 1985. The family eventually grew to be very big — she now has 19 grandchildren, 40 greatgrandchildren, 70 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild — but every single child who grew up in or visited the shotgun-style house on Alabama Street over the years knows “Grandma” or “Granny” loves them as much as they love her. “I’ve always known to come to Grandma’s house,” Pernell Parker said. “It was like an old wives’ tale where, after my grandfather passed, a male would have to walk through the house on the first of the year. A young male. Every time, no matter where I was, I’d come to her house and be the first male to walk through her house every year after my grandfather passed in 1985.” Just about everyone who shared stories about growing up with Parker had one thing in common: they’ve all tried to break the rules playing outside or inside, and they’ve all managed to get caught even when they thought they wouldn’t. Whether it took the whole village to raise the children or she actually did have the superpower to see everything, Parker’s watchful eye was well-respected in the neighborhood. “She had eyes in the side of her head,” Simpson said. “She might not tell you she’d seen it, but she seen it for sure. That woman knew everything you did. When we were growing up, everybody in the neighborhood looked out for each other, so she knew about everything we did.”
Parker and her family members celebrated her 100th birthday a few days early with good food and a round of great stories about her impact on their lives. The three-minute time limit for each speaker might have been more of a recommendation than a rule in some cases, but laughter and cheering filled the hotel’s banquet room every time. Even the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners celebrated Parker’s special day. The board issued a commendation celebrating her life and impact in the community. “The Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, Florida does hereby commend Illinois Blakely Parker for a wonderful life filled with love and compassion, and wishes her a very happy 100th birthday,” it read.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
FAITH CHRISTIAN BLACK HERITAGE
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Students at Faith Christian Academy spent the last six weeks delving into the history of influential African-Americans and then presented their research during a parent/ student exhibition. The event was held Feb. 6 and the gymnasium was full of students and their family members as they prepared for an afternoon of hands-on learning. Elementary schoolers took the stage and performed the songs they had been working studiously on for weeks while their families filmed and clapped along from the audience. Then, a few songs into the performance, the lights went out. The sirens mounted on the walls filled the air and a handful of teachers quickly left to determine the cause of the problem. Almost immediately, one returned and explained the strong winds in the area had temporarily knocked the school’s systems offline. The teachers lined their students up and began the process of heading back to the classrooms with the intention of hopefully returning later to finish the program.
Luckily, the power returned within half an hour. The elementary students finished their songs, their parents continued to film and then everyone turned their eyes to the screen for a short video about Black History Month and what it means for this nation. “From my understanding, we have been doing this exhibit for the last four years,” Tequila Brown, operations specialist at FCA, said. “The middle and high school students do the research and build the pasteboards and the elementary students do the musical performance. One of the most impactful moments, I think, was actually the video that was played prior to the display part of the culture boards. The video went through the timeline of African-American history all the way to Obama’s presidency and how he became president. It obviously was kind of sad, but it had some happy moments and the students were all really intrigued to see what the next part of the video would end up being.” After the video was done, the students filed into the adjoining room where the older students proudly stood by their handmade culture boards. Each board had information on an influential AfricanAmerican leader. One board discussed
Nelson Mandela. Another discussed Maya Angelou. One had an in-depth presentation on Mary McLeod Bethune. One was on Whitney Houston and another featured Malcolm X. The range was vast and the students had obviously done their research as they spent a long time sharing what they learned with their classmates and parents. Brown said FCA frequently encourages hands-on projects because it ensures the learning experience merges into the home. With this type of research project, the students take the names of their selected influential people home with them and then do research either on their computer or at the library. They inevitably talk to their parents about their hard work and soon the entire family is involved in bringing the project to life. Brown said they love these assignments because they give the student a full range of creativity at their
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fingertips and allow them to show off their innovative personalities. “This project is important because we want our students to see diversity. We have a lot of children that come to the school that are of different cultures and walks of life and ethnic groups, and they deserve to be able to see themselves reflected in what they learn,” Brown said. “And they love doing these projects. Each time this happens, they get to see themselves and what they can do and accomplish. They see what was displayed on the boards and listen to the stories shared by the student presenting and they get inspired. It’s really important to us because it’s important to them.”
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH: THE DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH How do you start to hear “cha-ching” in the bank account of your heart? Consider learning the ABC’s of exploring your heart’s diamond mine.
NIV). Once we have the right attitude, we then can work toward building the right atmosphere of value. This leads me to the boundaries I put within my life. These boundaries, like a fence that surrounds a child’s playground, are not to imprison but to create a space of security and discovery. These blessed bulwarks help protect against the constant assault of withering words from others as well as the perpetual life lies that we seem to hold onto from our childhood. One debilitating life lie many face is, “This is who you are, and you deserve no better.” Let me tell you the truth about that one. If you listen close, it has a hissing sound in it and it smells like smoke. That is because it is from a pit of fire and it comes from the old dragon’s mouth. How do we strengthen the blessed boundary of our heart’s value? By remembering this sentry-posted promise: God loves you just as you are, and He loves you too much to leave you that way.” We not only need to receive this promise, but we need to speak this promise daily and loudly, which leads me to the “C”. In communication, it does not take energy to speak words but it takes energy to move a heart, especially when that heart is your own. I firmly believe practice not only makes perfect, it makes permanent. If you remind yourself you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and that “God so loved you (the world),” the duo of diamond ditties will ring in your ears and heart instead of the noisy lyrics of the world’s lies. Just think that in a marriage when the husband begins to see himself as the dia-
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mond God desires him to be (though still a little rough around the edges) and the wife realizes she is the diamond that God has destined her to be (even though daily shining is needed), what you will have in the end is a two-carat couple worth more than all the diamonds in the world. Do you see your spouse as a precious diamond to be cherished and protected? If so, you are on your way to discover more treasures of love and life in marriage. If not, today is a great day to begin mining in your own diamond mountain of self to find the value your spouse needs from you. Remember that mining takes time, even if it has to go through the life layers of “for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live, so help you God.”
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What is your worth? When people are asked this question, especially those that are famous for who they are or have accomplished, it will typically revolve around the amount of their monetary assets, their possessions, and their prominence (their time is your money). When this was asked of the late Steve Jobs, he honestly could not tell the interviewer. The only thing he could say was, “I’m not sure, but it just keeps growing every day.” When your worth is in the billions, I guess it could be hard to keep count. However, if I were to ask you your “value,” what would you say? You are probably scratching your head and wondering, “Isn’t this the same question as the first?” To me, they are very different questions. Worth is the monetary amount that we place on the stuff we have, whereas value — personal value — is the amount we place upon the person we are. Confused? Let me explain. During the last weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to conduct a marriage enrichment event for many military personnel (active and retired), law enforcement and firefighters. The theme of the conference was “The Treasure Hunt of Marriage” and the primary focus was to mine for the diamonds in each couple’s relationship. During the opening session, I pulled out a diamond about the size of your fist from a protective box. As I displayed the sparking object I told everyone, “This diamond has a value of $5,000.” As I looked around the room, I could tell there were those carefully considering the validity of the statement — that is, until a smile came across my face. I then confessed, “Well, I bought it online for $13.45
with free shipping, but to me, it is worth that much.” I then explained that we often allow others to assign a lower value on things that matter the most to us: our jobs, our past, our culture, our gender and our family, only to feel as though we have little to no value. What can make matters worse is when we assign a lower value to ourselves due to the decisions we’ve made, the physical limitations we have or the environment we live in. When we give ourselves a low “value,” how can we add value to anyone around us, especially our spouses and family? It is here that I want the couples, and for you, to recognize a powerful principle in our life of value. You see people not as they are, but as you are. If you see yourself as giving, you will see others as giving. If you see yourself as forgiving, you will expect others to forgive. If you see yourself as angry, bitter or untrusting, you will see others in the same way. If you see yourself as having no value, the same goes for your perception and treatment of others. You can only give what you have and if you want to add value to others, you first must recognize the incredible value of you. First, it all starts with your attitude. I have learned in my years of military ministry that people will feel your attitude long before they hear your words. If your attitude is like a paper bag of old fish placed in a Florida garage for two weeks in the summer, your “stinking thinking” will eventually permeate all around you. That is why the apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things” (Philippians 4:8
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
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DOCTOR’S NOTE: “YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH & WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR” February is ‘Kids ENT Health Month!’ National health statistics reveal that ear, nose, and throat disorders are the primary reasons that children visit a physician — with ear infections ranking as the number one reason for an appointment. Being able to identify and acknowledge some of the most common ailments in children may help you better understand your child’s health and relieve their symptoms. PERFUMES & FOOD ALLERGIES - WHAT CAUSES YOUR CHILD’S ALLERGIES?
Your child’s allergy symptoms could be caused by foods, irritants (perfumes or cigarette smoke), indoor triggers (pets, dust mites, and mold) or outdoor triggers (pollen or insects). Symptoms to look for include: > Runny nose or nasal congestion > Itchy, watery eyes > Sneezing or coughing > Skin rashes or hives > Upset stomach > Ear infections/fluid in ears Personalized treatment plans may include medical therapy, allergy shots, allergy drops and/or allergy toothpaste. Allergy drops (also known as sublin-
gual immunotherapy) are placed under the tongue as part of long term allergy control, eventually turning off the body’s allergic reactions to things like dust mites and pollens. Allergy drops can be an ideal alternative to allergy shots for children. TUGGING THE EAR - WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION TIPS FOR EAR INFECTIONS?
Your child may have an ear infection if he or she has one or more of the following symptoms: > Tugging at the ear > Irritability > Running a fever > Fluid draining from the ear > Trouble with balance or hearing As the most common reason parents bring their children to the doctor, ear infections are usually caused by viruses or bacteria and can be the result of a sore throat, cold or other upper respiratory infection. There are a few preventative measures you can take to help prevent ear infections: > Practice good hygiene, like washing hands, to help keep your child from getting sick or the flu
> Get your child vaccinated for the flu > Never put your baby down to sleep with a bottle > Make sure your child is not exposed to cigarette smoke Keep in mind that antibiotics are not needed for all ear infections. If your child has taken multiple antibiotics for ear infections, it might be time to consider an alternative treatment. Depending on severity and recurrences, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist can recommend the most effective treatment.
of treatment and provide as many options as possible. The physicians of Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have served the Tampa Bay community for over 40 years. Our board certified physicians and doctors of audiology have completed extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training in their area(s) of expertise. From pediatric allergies to fitting hearing aids, our caring and experienced providers specialize in ear, nose and throat care for the entire family using comprehensive, cutting edge technologies.
BEYOND A COLD - COULD YOUR CHILD HAVE SINUSITIS?
If your child’s cold symptoms persist longer than a week to ten days, they could have sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection. Children with chronic sinusitis have sinus infections lasting longer than 12 weeks or are recurrent. A low radiation dose CT scan may help determine if your child’s sinuses are fully formed or if there is any blockage. If your child continuously experiences the above symptoms, it is time to seek treatment from an ENT physician. Florida E.N.T. & Allergy diagnoses and treats children of any age to find the best course
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 813-879-8045 or visit Florida E.N.T. & Allergy online at www.FloridaENTandAllergy.com.
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
KIDS LEARN ABOUT OUTDOORS AT GFIVE
The Plant City feed and outdoor store hosted its first Kids in the Outdoors event Feb. 15. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The people at GFive Feed & Outdoor would love for kids to spend more time outside and less time on their smartphones, so they took matters into their own hands over the weekend. The store, located at 4960 U.S. Highway 92 West, hosted Kids in the Outdoors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and drew hundreds of kids and their families for a fun day. Representatives from Ducks Unlimited (which partnered with the store to host the event) and Florida FWC officers, pilots, marine biologists and outdoor experts were there to answer questions about their jobs, boating safety, wildlife awareness and other outdoor topics, taught gun safety, landed a helicopter and let kids sit in the cockpit and more. Kids got in target practice on ranges for lever-action BB guns and
archery, and they also got to build their own wooden Case pocket knives during two classes. Games, food and much more were on site. There was a suggested $5 donation for the event and all proceeds will benefit Ducks Unlimited’s Greenwing program for kids. Area chairman Michael Layrisson said the Plant City-based chapter hopes to get more involved with the community through events such as Kids in the Outdoors. GFive’s Bill Glisson said he hopes to host three to four similar events each year and expand future Kids in the Outdoor days to include fishing derbies onsite, camping demonstrations and more. The store will host a wild turkey hunting seminar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with professional hunters on hand for a Q&A, a turkey calling contest, handmade game call sales and more.
Justin Kline
GFive Feed & Outdoor’s first-ever Kids in the Outdoors event aimed to help kids learn to appreciate nature with games, activities and first-class education from the pros.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
TIGERS AND TIARAS ORGANIZED BY:
FREE ADMISSION $5 PARKING OPENING CEREMONIES 10:30AM TROPHY PRESENTATION 2:30PM
Limited Flights for Kids Must pre-register at youngeaglesday.org provided by EAA Young Eagles ages 8-17 Courtesy of Tomlin Middle School
From left: Larkin Baxter, runner-up; Joy Joyce, Queen; Makinley Jensen, runner-up
STAFF WRITER
The annual Tigers and Tiaras pageant at Tomlin Middle School offers a chance for students in sixth through eighth grade to compete for a crown. The pageant, which was created in 2018 as a production of the school’s yearbook class, has drawn massive crowds every year and quickly became a staple at the school. This year, Joy Joyce was crowned Queen and Makinley Jensen and Larkin Baxter were first and second runner-up, respectively. “My personal favorite part of the evening was when I rounded the corner to find all of them hand-in-hand praying for each other and their school,” Donelle Casselman, director of the pageant, said. “It brought me to tears. This school is truly not just a school, but a second home to us all.” Each year, the top 10 students are asked a question on stage that helps showcase their character and gives the judges a better feel
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for their personalities and public speaking skills. This year they were asked, “How do you spread joy around your school?” Each of the 10 girls had unique answers, including “being kind and caring to others” and “spreading joy around like confetti.” Alissa Lagunes, one of the contestants, echoed that sentiment and said she loved being backstage during the pageant because she received a lot of support from her fellow participants. Maya Howard, who also competed, agreed and said she made a lot of new friends during the competition. “In the three years we have done this, this year was by far the most meaningful because the girls seemed to support each other lift one another up,” Casselman said. “It didn't seem like a ‘competition. Giselle Gutierrez was our entertainment during intermission and Deanna Hurley was our photographer for the evening. We also doubled our numbers from last year, which was very exciting.”
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FEBRUARY 20, 2020
SPORTS Quick Hits BASEBALL’S BACK
Taylor Butler, Strawberry Crest’s point guard, sparked the team in its regional quarterfinal win over Bartow. See Page 14
At long last, the 2020 high school baseball season started this week.
AREA PARKS HOSTING EVENTS
STRAWBERRY CREST
This weekend, Plant City Little League opens its 2020 spring season at Mike Sansone Park with a ceremony starting at 8 a.m. and games to follow immediately afterward. The annual ceremony features appearances by the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, Mayor Rick Lott and more. GSA Baseball will host some spring league play games at Mike Sansone Park and Ellis-Methvin Park Saturday and Sunday, with start times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
CONVERSATION WITH A CHAMPION Plant City native Chevelle Hallback has had a long, successful boxing career and the current welterweight world champ can’t wait to talk about it. Hallback will speak about her experiences in the sport in the Bing Rooming House Museum’s “Conversation with a Champion” event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. this Saturday. The event is free and open to the public. The Bing House is located at 205 S. Allen St.
SAFETY AROUND WATER AT THE Y Tampa Bay-area YMCAs and the Florida Blue Foundation are bringing Safety Around Water lessons back in time for spring break, and Plant City-area families interested in free swim lessons for their children should pre-register now. The Plant City Family YMCA will host the program from March 16 through 19. This program is designed for kids age 3-12 and is staffed by certified instructors. YMCA memberships are not required for participation, but pre-registration is. Call the Plant City Y at 813-757-6677 for more information. Nearly 8,000 kids participated in Safety Around Water courses in the Tampa Bay area in 2019.
File photo
Tyler Dowdy gets fired up during Plant City’s state semifinal win against McArthur. Dowdy hit back-to-back home runs against the Mustangs. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Pound for pound, arguably no part of Florida was as talented, competitive or successful on the baseball field in 2019 than the greater Plant City area. With Plant City and Strawberry Crest facing each other in the Class 8A state championship game and Durant winning 18 games, last year was one wild ride on the diamond. It’s also going to be a hard act to follow, but all three teams have their ears pinned back and are ready to prove themselves in 2020.
PLANT CITY If anyone’s going to have the hardest time replicating 2019’s success, it’s the defending state champs. That’s not a slight against the Raiders at all — it’s just that going 30-2 in a regular season and winning district, regional and state championships in the same postseason is an extremely difficult task. And every athlete and coach alive knows the only thing harder than winning a title is defending it. “Last year, I think we hid a little bit and then, all of a sudden, we popped up on the radar,” head coach Mike Fryrear said.
Luckily for Plant City, this team is still very good on paper. Even though graduation took away key players like two-way star Parker Messick, veteran catcher Hunter Emerine and Cade Shissler’s reliable bat, plenty of Raiders who were crucial to the 2019 team’s success are back. Pitcher Jarod Wingo, who got the win in the state title game and had a team-best 0.44 ERA on the mound last season, is the new ace. Tyler Dowdy, who went 6-1 on the mound in 2019 and was one of the most valuable players in the state series, is back for one more year and is now throwing in the 80s. Speedster Mario Williams, whose base running and defense has been crucial to PCHS, gets two more seasons. Other key returners include 2019 batting average leader Cole Cothren (.467 in 90 atbats), starting outfielder Chris Rodriguez and designated hitter Ryan Robinson. “People thought we lost stuff, but no,” Fryrear said. “We just reloaded.” The Raiders may not have quite as many pure power hitters rostered as last season, but this team is still versatile enough pitching, hitting, fielding and running the bases to match up well with just about anyone. Plant City looks to be a tough out for any team and will likely make another serious postseason run in 2020.
No team was hit harder by graduation than the state runner-up, which lost a strong core of seven seniors that set the tone for the 2019 season on both offense and defense. Crest fans shouldn’t be worried about a major regression, though. Head coach Eric Beattie’s 2020 group still checks several boxes that have always been crucial to the program’s success: versatility, coachability and competitiveness. “I think we’re gonna pitch it well,” Beattie said. “We should throw a lot of strikes. Our defense should be very good. We have a very competitive group. They love competition. We’re just gonna have to execute and be very disciplined offensively.” This Chargers team, Beattie said, is “full of utility players” that can make managing any game much easier. Upperclassmen Tyson Hardin, Colby Fanning and Matt Smith will bring valuable experience all over the field and on the mound, and Beattie’s also excited to see what freshmen Zack Lester and Zack Redner can do in utility roles. Alex Mussenden, who can burn up the basepaths, is the leadoff hitter to start the season and Eli Garner, who pitched in the state championship game, is also returning in a major role. This year will also be big for righty pitcher Bryan Boully, who threw in 11 innings in 2019 but will now become one of Crest’s workhorses on the mound. Beattie said he has the potential to be “dominant,” which should excite any fans worried about losing pitchers like Alex Marshall and Kade Manderscheid. Despite losing so much talent, Crest is not a team to be taken lightly and can still outwork and outsmart you all the way to the wins column. To stay focused, Beattie is promoting “HIPP” within the program — developing the Human first, making a positive Impact and focusing on Preparation in the class and on the field every day for the best possible Performance. “That’s kind of our route to determine the success we have this year,” Beattie said. “If those things are in place, I know that it’s gonna be a great year and we’re probably gonna win a lot of games.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
CREST GIRLS IN BASKETBALL REGIONALS Strawberry Crest beat Bartow on Feb. 13 to set up Tuesday’s semifinal against Winter Haven. The Strawberry Crest Chargers started their latest run through regionals with games against a pair of Polk County teams. First, Crest hosted Bartow in the Feb. 13 6A-Region 2 quarterfinal and cruised to a 63-39 win over the Yellow Jackets. The Chargers’ offense took over in the first and third quarters
(19 and 16 points, respectively) and their defense held Bartow to single-digit scoring in the second and fourth quarters (seven and nine points, respectively) in a complete team effort.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
BASEBALL’S BACK FROM PAGE 12
File photo
Eli Garner started the 2019 8A state championship game for Strawberry Crest and returns to the pitching rotation this year.
DURANT Don’t sleep on Durant this season. The Cougars are a junior-heavy squad Justin Kline in 2020. Fourteen of the 24 rostered players are in 11th grade and head coach Butch Valdes is confident in their ability to step into bigger roles, especially after the team’s preseason wins over King and Bloomingdale. That’s going to be especially important on the mound now that Durant needs some of them to fill several pitching roles affected by graduation. Sean Hermann, who led the team with 55 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched, got plenty of work in ters. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the 2019 and will keep at it this season. Alex Canney, who struck out 26 batters in 18.2 Blue Devils’ fourth quarter was its most productive of the game and they scored 25 innings pitched last year, and Esteban Tavarez, who appeared in four games last points to build a commanding lead. year and started one, will also be heavily Now that the Chargers have been eliminated from the postseason, the area relied on. Durant was dealt a major blow this basketball season is officially over. offseason when a knee injury ended 2019 batting leader Ahmad Fitts’ senior season before it began, but Valdes said senior Coleton Brogden and junior Dean Hotz, who transferred to Durant from Bell Creek Academy, have been swinging the bats Justin Kline is the Sports Ediwell. Brogden hit .273 last season but his tor at the Plant City Observer. 13 RBI (with 12 hits) ranked second only to Email: jkline@plantcityobFitts’ 19 RBI among all Cougars. server.com. Pitching may be this team’s greatest tangible strength right now, but Valdes said the intangibles are also there. Calling this team one of the strongest in years as far as unity goes, the coach said the Cougars are all-in together and know they have to lift each other up to have the best season possible. “It’s everybody working together,” Valdes said. “We’re not running off of that one big name. But it’s nice because we’re junior-heavy, so the next couple years look pretty positive. It’s a good group. I really like it. It’s close-knit, like a big family.”
CREST GIRLS MAKE REGIONAL HOOPS SEMIFINAL Strawberry Crest beat Bartow on Feb. 13 but fell to Winter Haven at home on Tuesday night. FROM PAGE 12 Crest did, however, get a big spark from a great performance by point guard Taylor Butler, who scored 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting and did much of her damage to Bartow in the paint in the third quarter. Fellow senior Megan Watson was also an x-factor, scoring 18 with six rebounds, six assists and six steals. That win set up a home game against Winter Haven on Tuesday night, in which the Chargers took a 70-51 loss to the Blue Devils. Winter Haven took a 19-9 lead in the first quarter, but the Chargers chipped away and cut their lead down to 45-37 after three quarters. Crest outscored the visitors, 28-26, in the second and third quar-
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RESHUFFLING The FHSAA has realigned all of the baseball districts and all three area teams have been affected. While there is still a crosstown rivalry series with district seeding stakes, it’s no longer Durant-Plant City games. The Cougars are now in 7A-District 8 with Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Lennard, Newsome and Riverview Sarasota. Newsome, Lakewood Ranch and Lennard each made it to regionals last season, so this could shape up to be one of the toughest districts in the state for any team to win. Plant City and Strawberry Crest are now in 6A-District 8 and will have to tangle with Leto, Tampa Bay Tech and Armwood. Leto’s reputation as one of the best teams in the Tampa Bay area is welldeserved, and Armwood is coming off of a 2019 campaign that saw the Hawks make huge improvements on offense and defense while losing only five players to graduation.
PLAYOFFS? The FHSAA’s new power ranking system has made its way to the baseball field just in time for 2020. So, the days of finishing as district runner-up and being guaranteed a road game in the regional quarterfinals are gone. Atlarge bids and seeding will be determined by the FHSAA by way of MaxPreps’ ranking system, which considers both regular season and district tournament play for each team as well as strength of schedules when formulating a score to order them by. With the old district runner-up crutch now yanked out of the picture, losses just got far more stressful. SEE MORE ONLINE AT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM
14
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS
Taylor Butler
The Tampa Bay Vipers invited Plant City High’s football team and Mayor Rick Lott to practice Tuesday afternoon. Justin Kline
Rannell Hall chats with PCHS football players shortly after the Vipers ended practice. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers are quickly winning over the Plant City community and showed their appreciation again on Tuesday afternoon. Plant City High School’s football players and coaches, who recently joined the pros on a volunteering venture at the United Food Bank of Plant City, linked up again on the Vipers’ practice field at Plant City Stadium. The Raiders got to watch a professional team work and then hang out with the players after they wrapped up for the day. “It’s a neat experience,” PCHS head coach James Booth said. “Being right in our back yard, it’s a great opportunity for our guys to see some pro athletes and how they prepare. I think, most importantly, I want our kids to see what elite athletes look like, the preparation for what goes into a week of practice going into the game and hopefully our guys can see that. Hopefully it rubs off on them.” While the Vipers players and coaches shook hands and chatted with the Raiders about the game, Mayor Rick Lott walked onto the practice field knowing only that he was invited to come out and watch the team. Vipers head coach and general manager Marc Trestman surprised the mayor with a personalized Vipers home jersey with the number 20 and thanked both Lott and the city for accommodating the team and its needs.
“I’ve had a couple opportunities to meet a lot of the players and get to know them a little bit,” Lott said. “They’re fine young men with a dream and a goal, and they’re giving 100 percent trying to reach that dream and that goal. I’m glad they’re doing it right here in Plant City. I’m very proud and I’ll wear this (to home games) on behalf of the City of Plant City. I think, as a city, we’re very, very proud to host home field operations for the Vipers. We have our high school players here today and they’re very proud of this. Hopefully they get inspired to play in college and, hopefully, be here one day playing in Plant City for the Vipers. It would be awesome.”
Any college plans?
You had a great game against Bartow. Was anything different about that game for you?
I bring leadership. I bring discipline. I’m a team player, always cheering on my teammates. I’m a student of the game and always looking at film, trying to see “OK, I could have made this pass a little sooner” or “I’ve got to make this shot” or “I’m kind of leaning on my free throws, I’ve got to straighten up.” I’m just a gritty player.
Yes, it was more of a do-or-die situation. I felt like we had to win and we had to do it by any means necessary. If I had to play hard and through fatigue, I had to do it because it was either win or go home. What about that defense let you get so comfortable attacking the basket and making such a high percentage? I felt like they were overplaying the whole game and being aggressive. I have a quick first step, so that allowed me to get past them. What’s your first year playing for Crest been like?
What’s been the highlight of the season for you? 1/9/2020 & 1/23/2020 Keiser – Lakeland 231-1854-PCO-NYNC-Nurs-5x6 Plant City Observer 5x6 sjb 12/18/19
Justin Kline
Marc Trestman and Mayor Rick Lott
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The Strawberry Crest Chargers advanced to Tuesday’s regional semifinal with their 63-39 win over Bartow on Feb. 13. Though Crest played well as a whole on offense and defense, one of the biggest sparks for the team was senior point guard Taylor Butler’s play. Butler finished the game with a team-high 24 points on 73 percent shooting (11 of 15 field goal attempts) and was nearly unstoppable driving to the basket in the third quarter. She also added five assists and two steals to go with her seasonhigh point total.
It’s been fun. Every day’s been a new lesson. It’s a great group of ladies to play for. I feel like it’s a family atmosphere. I just love the energy. Every time we play, we’re always fighting and we’re always the underdogs. Underdogs have to fight. We’re all we’ve got.
N EW YEAR. N EW CARE E R.
KeiserUniversity.edu
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
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UNIVERSITY Associate I Bachelor’s I Master’s I Doctoral
Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
VIPERS HOST RAIDERS, MAYOR AT PRACTICE
Winning the district championship game. I fouled out in the last five minutes, so I just saw my team, they knew the situation, two of us fouled out… and they just fought. We had a pretty good lead but they just kept fighting and fighting. I was on the bench cheering for them really loud. We overcame.
Me and my parents are weighing my options right now. I’m either going to walk on wherever… or there’s the option of junior college. It’s just a grinding process. I know I can play at the next level and I’d really like to do anything I can to play at the next level. I just have to have an opportunity. So how would you pitch yourself to a college coach? What does Taylor Butler bring to a program?
What will you miss most about being a Charger when you graduate this year? The team. Even though I’ve been here one year, I’ve built a great bond with these ladies. I really love them… they’re always sending me inspirational quotes. It’s bigger than basketball. And then my coach (La’Tosha Lewis), she’s like a second mother to me.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
SPORTS SCORES AND MORE
BOYS BASKETBALL
BASEBALL FEB. 20
FEB. 10
Durant at Sickles, 7 p.m. Plant City at Bloomimgdale, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Alonso, 7 p.m.
Riverview Sarasota 67, Durant 37 FEB. 11
FEB. 25
Plant City 65, Armwood 63 Lakeland 77, Strawberry Crest 56
Durant at Lennard, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Plant City, 7 p.m.
FEB. 12
FEB. 27
Kathleen 72, Plant City 36
Durant at Newsome, 7 p.m. Plant City at Armwood, 7 p.m. Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
FEB. 28
FEB. 18
Freedom at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.
Winter Haven 70, Strawberry Crest 51
MARCH 3
WRESTLING FEB. 21 District Individuals at East Bay FEB. 28
States through March 7
Strawberry Crest at Plant City, 7 p.m.
Durant, Plant City at Strawberry Crest Strawberry Festival Showdown, 5 p.m.
FEB. 27 Plant City at Durant, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Kathleen, 7 p.m. MARCH 3 Durant at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m. Plant City at Newsome, 7 p.m.
TRACK AND FIELD FEB. 22 Plant City at Steinbrenner Invite, 8 a.m. FEB. 25 Strawberry Crest at Armwood quad meet, 6 p.m. FEB. 26
SOFTBALL
FEB. 27
Plant City at Spoto quad meet, 6 p.m.
Durant at Brandon, 6 p.m.
Durant at Sickles, 7 p.m. Plant City at Bloomimgdale, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at Alonso, 7 p.m.
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
Durant at Riverview, 7 p.m. Leto at Plant City, 7 p.m. Armwood at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.
FEB. 20
Regionals through Feb. 29
FEB. 25
FEB. 29 Strawberry Crest at Bob English Relays at George Jenkins HS, 8 a.m.
Plant City vs. Gaither (boys only), 3 p.m. Strawberry Crest vs. Brandon, 3 p.m.
FLAG FOOTBALL
LACROSSE (DURANT ONLY)
FEB. 27
FEB. 20
Plant City at Bucs preseason tournament at Raymond James Stadium through Feb. 29
Durant at Steinbrenner (girls only), 5 p.m.
MARCH 3 Durant at Hillsborough, 7:30 p.m. Plant City at Brandon, 7:30 p.m. Strawberry Crest at East Bay, 7:30 p.m.
TENNIS FEB. 20 Durant vs. Plant, 3 p.m. Plant City vs. Strawberry Crest, 3 p.m. FEB. 24 Durant vs. Strawberry Crest, 3 p.m. Plant City vs. East Bay, 3 p.m. FEB. 27 Durant vs. Plant City, 3 p.m. Strawberry Crest vs. Bloomingdale, 3 p.m. MARCH 3
15
SPORTS SCORES
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FEB. 21 Alonso at Durant, 5 p.m. (boys), 7 p.m. (girls) FEB. 28 Bloomingdale at Durant, 5 p.m. (boys), 7 p.m. (girls) MARCH 3 Durant at Robinson, 5 p.m. (boys), 7 p.m. (girls) MARCH 4 Durant at Bartow (boys only), 5 p.m. Durant at Lakewood Ranch (girls only), 5 p.m. MARCH 6 Durant at Newsome, 5 p.m. (boys), 7 p.m. (girls) MARCH 9 Durant at Jefferson, 5 p.m. (girls), 7 p.m. (boys)
Durant vs. Steinbrenner, 3 p.m.
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 20, 2020
YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN
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We asked: What’s your favorite thing to eat at the Florida Strawberry Festival?
“Corn dogs.” — Dar’Tavious Robinson
“Chicken on a stick.” — Kareem Wimes
“Funnel cake.” — Donte Woodard
“Deep fried Snickers or pickles.” — Trevar Bradshaw
“Amish doughnuts and Pickle Barrel sirloin tips.” — Rhet Conyers
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
William “Bill” Boyd Bailey, 73, of Plant City, born in Laona, Wisconsin on March 27, 1946, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 29, 2020. Expressions of Condolences at HopewellFuneral.com.
James B. Love James B. Love, 81, of Plant City, born on June 9, 1938 in Charlotte, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 12, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Mildred Hale
Mildred Hale, 92, of Plant City, born on April 2, 1927 in Nashville, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 17, 2020. Expressions of condolence at hopewellfuneral.com.
A member of East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, Nila loved spending time with her family, reading, and watching sports. A visitation for Nila will be held Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Wells Memorial and Event Center, 1903 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, FL 33563 with funeral services occurring at 12:00 we’rep.m. dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Fondunique memories and exprescelebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, sions of sympathy may be 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Nila Marie > >Bereavement Travel Assistance Thewww.WellsMemorial. Compassion Helpline® shared>at Fliehman com for the Fliehman family. R Nila Marie Fliehman, 79, of supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Proudly Plant City, entered into rest on Monday Feb. 17, 2020. Nila was born Oct. 17, 1940. Nila was preceded in death WELLSMEMORIAL.COM by her husband, Freddie D. Wells MeMorial & event Center Fliehman; her infant daughter; PlanT CiTy Debora Ann Stickles sister, Georgia Porter; and her 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com parents, Orville O. Conley and Debora Ann Stickles, 59, of ValriErla R. Pitsenbarger. co, passed away on Saturday Feb. She is survived by her lov15, 2020. Debora was born Nov. ing sons, Roger 13, 1960 indedicated Baltimore, Maryland. we’re to helping families create a W EA. ’ RE Fliehman P RO U D TO S E RV E our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. (Betty), and Bryan K. Fliehman See www.wellsmemorial.com celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, (Lisa); one brother Butch Confor service on Friday, Feb. > 100% Service Guarantee > National times Plan Transferability Travel Assistance Compassion > Bereavement ley (Rita); brother in law Ronald 21, 2020> The and to offerHelpline® condolences Porter; sister Barbara Dickess to R the Stickles family. (Bud); four grandchildren, Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Cody Thomas (Nicole), Corey Reese, Amy Marie (Ryan), and Lori Ann; as well as many other friends and family members. WELLSMEMORIAL.COM
Taking care of each other is what
community
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Clayton Edward Dillon Clayton Edward Dillon, 83, of Lithia, formerly of Parma, Ohio, born on Jan. 18, 1937 in Logan, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 12, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Taking care of Steven William Glenda McDonaldeach other is what is all about.
Glenda McDonald Haney, 74, Steven William Johnson, 53, of of Plant City, born on Sept. 15, Wesley Chapel, passed away on 1945 in Tampa, entered into Saturday Feb. 8, 2020. Steven eternal rest on Feb. 2020. was born 11,to helping 1966families in Upper we’reFeb. dedicated create a W E ’ R E14, PROU D TO S E RV E our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Expressions ofAs condolence Sandusky, Ohio. celebrates the life it represents. your Dignity Memorialat professionals, HopewellFuneral.com.> 100% Service GuaranteeFond memories and expres> National Plan Transferability The Compassionmay Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance sions of>sympathy be shared at R www.WellsMemorial.com for Johnson family. Proudly supportingthe the Plant City Strawberry Festival. ®
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Johnson community
Haney
Taking care of each other is what
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is all about.
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10/27/15 10:42 AM
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WELLSMEMORIAL.COM
Valerie Anne Wolf
Richard ‘Dicky’ Saliba
Valerie Anne Wolf, 54, of Lithia, born on May 31, 1965 in New York, New York, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 10, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Richard “Dicky” Saliba, 85, of Plant City, born on March 1, 1934 in Lakeland, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 13, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy
813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com
M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1
10/27/15 10:42 AM
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17
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
OBITUARIES
William ‘Bill’ Boyd Bailey
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OBITUARIES
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
Vivian Lois
Taking care of Salisbury each Vivian otherLoisisSalisbury, what 89, of Dover,
community passed away on Wednesday Feb. Vivian was born Jan. 2, is12, all2020. about. 1931 in Dover.
Services were held on Tuesday,
Feb. 18, we’re 2020. dedicated to helping families create a our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly ersonal, compassionate care since 1896. Condolences and fond memocelebrates the life it represents. r Dignity Memorial professionals, P R O U D TO S E RV E ®
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Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.
WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy
Margaret Woodard Thompson
813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
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Margaret Woodard Thompson, 94, of Plant City, passed away on Feb. 15, 2020. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught. care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
James “Jaime” Donatiello James “Jaime” Donatiello, age 55, of Seffner, passed away on February 17, 2020. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught. care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
THURSDAY, FEB. 20 MAHJONG CLASS
2 to 4 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., hosts a Mahjong Class on Thursdays. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned expert, join them every week to play American Mahjong.
BREASTFEEDING AND NEWBORN CARE CLASS
6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Class. This class covers several aspects of newborn care, such as breastfeeding, bathing, diapering and safety risks. This class is held the third Thursday of every month. Participants may bring one guest to classes. Please bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. The
YOUR CALENDAR
18
BEST BET SATURDAY, FEB. 22 13TH ANNUAL 4-H STRAWBERRY U-PICK
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s Strawberry U-pick supporting Hillsborough County 4-H & helping area food banks will be held once again at Fancy Farms, 3524 Futch Loop, Plant City FL. Strawberries are $1.00 per quart & containers are provided. Look out for the signs on the property for the u-pick. Rain or Shine. Come and pick for yourself or join the youth in picking for local area food banks. Event proceeds help fund scholarships for 4-H Summer Camp, 4-H University and 4-H Legislature, among other offerings, such as the Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat and the the 4-H program overall.
event is held in the ICU Conference Room, 2-South. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-855-269-4777.
FRIDAY, FEB. 21 MORNING BOOK CLUB
11 a.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., hosts its adult morning book club once a month. This month’s book is “The Traveling Cat Chronicles” by Hiro Arikawa. Share your thoughts on the book and get copies of the next month’s club pick at the discussion.
DUPLICATE BRIDGE
1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game, the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. Contact Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602 for more information.
AFTER SCHOOL ARCADE
4:30 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting an After School Arcade for local youth. Did you know that playing games in groups helps develop social connections, language skills, and technical knowledge? Swing by the library after school for an hour of Friday afternoon gaming. For adolescents ages 10-16.
AMVETS POST 44 FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS
6 p.m. The AmVets Post 44, 5521 FL-60, Plant City, FL 33567, is hosting a weekly dinner on Friday nights. The third Friday of every month is a menu of pork chops and sides for $8. For more information visit amvetspost44.org.
FARCE OF NATURE
8 p.m. Plant City Entertainment, Inc., in conjunction with Dramatists Play Service, presents “Farce of Nature.” This Southernfried farce highlights one day in the life of the Wilburn family of Mayhew, Arkansas. The struggling family fishing lodge, the Reel ‘Em Inn, becomes the backdrop for
a motley collection of flawed characters stirring up a hilarious comedic stew. Show dates are Feb. 21, 22, 23*. Shows with an asterisk also have a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at pceshows.com and at the door while available.
SATURDAY, FEB. 22 YOGA LOVES GARDENS
9 to 9:45 a.m. Join the Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St., in this special plant energized space to learn and expand your yoga practice. Please bring your own yoga mat. Suggested $10 donation.
FREE CIDER WORKSHOP
10 to 11:30 a.m. Fire cider is said to restore and invigorate one’s system and additionally many claim it has benefits including boosting energy, warding off colds and flus, easing sinus congestion, lowering blood sugar and more. This workshop is held at the Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. Discussion, instruction, handouts, a quart container and ingredients will be provided to you to create and take home a mix. Suggested $15 donation. RSVP is required. Contact Karen at 813-435-8111 or email 12circle8@ gmail.com.
MONDAY, FEB. 24 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB
7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning. Now the group will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome.
CRAFTERNOON: FINGER PUPPETS
4 p.m. Elementary students and their families are invited to design and create a customized finger puppet at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Students will take their personalized puppets home. For elementary students and their families.
WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT
UP N G I S AY!
TOD
TUESDAY, FEB. 25 SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB
9 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Tuesday to play Shuffleboard. You’ll be an expert in no time. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-722-5821 for more information.
THURSDAY, FEB. 27 MAHJONG CLASS
2 to 4 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., hosts a Mahjong Class on Thursdays. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned expert, join them every week to play American Mahjong.
YOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND POSTPARTUM ISSUES CLASS
6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Your Hospital Stay and Postpartum Issues Class. This class covers hospital policies regarding hospital stay, emotional changes and adjusting to the new parent role. This class is held the fourth Thursday of every month. Participants may bring one guest to classes. Please bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. The event is held in the ICU Conference Room, 2-South. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-855-269-4777.
RETRO MOVIE NIGHT: LADY AND THE TRAMP
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., in the loft for a free screening of the 1955 Animated Disney Classic, “Lady and the Tramp.” Stop and grab a sweet treat from their pastry case, a special drink and enjoy the show with family and friends. Retro Movie Night is held the fourth Thursday of every month.
FUN IS IN!
Bring your kids to the Plant City YMCA on most school holidays* for an exciting, enriching experience while you’re at work or out and about! PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org
SPRING BREAK
IS AROUND THE CORNER!
*See website for available dates.
Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 20, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
I LOVE PLANT CITY
2/20
FORECAST THURSDAY, FEB. 20 High: 84 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 20%
FRIDAY, FEB. 21 High: 61 Low: 44 Chance of rain: 20%
27 Puts to work 28 Facebook chitchat, informally 29 Villain’s base 31 Some are rock-hard 33 Learn about cat boxes? (Be to Li) 39 Amazement 40 Sound of sirens 41 Vow renewal words 42 “___ all be OK” 45 Issa in “Insecure” 46 French or artichoke condiment 47 Assignment for a USDA inspector? (Li to He) 52 Refer to 53 Supporting vote
54 Currency in Germany 55 Potential beneficiary of nepotism 56 Eased into a vegetarian diet? (He to H) 61 Gas pump rating 62 Columnist with hints 63 Sporty car roofs 64 LASIK prerequisite DOWN 1 Card with an A 2 Goal in Risk 3 They invented algebra 4 Cookout throwaways 5 Not feeling well 6 Pub selection 7 Malia’s sister 8 Hi or bye, in Hawaii
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
High: 70 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 0%
SUNDAY, FEB. 23 High: 77 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 10%
STRAWBERRY Shipping point: Central Florida $6.90-$10.90
9 ___ choy 10 “Crazy Rich” people in a 2018 film 11 Any of the “You Should Be Dancing” singers 12 Equity + liabilities 14 Suffix meaning “world” 16 Hitchhiking seed: Var. 20 Branch offshoot 21 A house is not one, in song 22 Step on it to slow down 23 Sportscaster Andrews 24 Blast of wind 26 Positively beam 30 Spreadsheet division 31 Fake name 32 Tendency to anger 34 1 on the Mohs scale 35 Welcoming 36 Basis of Marie Kondo’s brand 37 Menu with Cut and Paste 38 Scratching post material 42 Pain relief brand with an oxymoronic name 43 Bad thing to get caught in 44 Result in 48 Laments loudly 49 Firework feature 50 “___ Poetica” 51 Producer of Accutane 52 Roberts who wrote “Ladies of Liberty” 55 Laddie or lassie 57 Part of a track record? 58 Unimaginative Tinder opener 59 Suffix for “percent” 60 Alternative to com or org
19
SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, Feb. 20
7:02a
6:22p
Friday, Feb. 21
7:01a
6:23p
Saturday, Feb. 22
7:00a
6:24p
Sunday, Feb. 23
6:59a
6:25p
Monday, Feb. 24
6:58a
6:25p
Tuesday, Feb. 25
6:57a
6:26p
Wednesday, Feb. 26
6:56a
6:27p
MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
Chemistry Countdown by Jordan Hildebrandt
ACROSS 1 Trees giraffes graze on 8 Addis ___ 13 Compact Toyota 14 Concludes a real estate deal 15 Legalizes gambling? (C to B) 17 Mahomes and others: Abbr. 18 Silence 19 It’s “just a number” 20 Ergo 22 Picnic lunch in Yellowstone, say? (B to Be) 25 “___ is me!” 26 (That makes me so mad!)
|
Feb. 23 New
Feb. 28 First
Mar. 9 Full
Mar. 19 Last
RAINFALL Monday, Feb. 10
0.00
Tuesday, Feb. 11 0.00 Wednesday, Feb. 12
0.07
Thursday, Feb. 13 0.00 Friday, Feb. 14
0.01
Saturday, Feb. 15 0.00 Sunday, Feb. 16
0.00
YEAR TO DATE:
MONTH TO DATE:
2020 01.71 in.
2020 0.95 in.
2019 02.12 in.
2019 0.43 in.
WEATHER
43 Bad thing to ACROSS 52 Refer to 21 A house is get caught in 1 Trees giraffes 53 Supporting not one, 44 Result in graze on vote in song 48 Laments 8 Addis ___ 54 Currency in 22 Step on it to loudly 13 Compact Germany slow down 49 Firework 55 Potential Sportscaster SendToyota your photo submissions to Associate Editor23 Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com feature 14 Concludes beneficiary Andrews or hashtag onofInstagram for @igersplantcity to feature. 50 “___ Poetica” a real #iloveplantcity estate nepotism 24 Blast of wind 51 Producer of deal 56 Eased into 26 Positively Accutane 15 Legalizes a vegetarian beam 52 Roberts gambling? diet? 30 Spreadsheet who wrote (C to B) (He to H) division “Ladies of 17 Mahomes 61 Gas pump 31 Fake name Liberty” and others: rating 32 Tendency 55 Laddie or Abbr. 62 Columnist to anger lassie 18 Silence with hints 34 1 on the 57 Part of 19 It’s “just a 63 Sporty car Mohs scale a track number” roofs 35 Welcoming record? 20 Ergo 64 LASIK 36 Basis of 58 Unimagina22 Picnic lunch prerequisite Marie tive Tinder in YellowDOWN Kondo’s opener stone, say? 1 Card with brand 59 Suffix for (B to Be) an A 37 Menu with “percent” 25 “___ is me!” 2 Goal in Risk Cut and 60 Alternative 26 (That makes 3 They inventPaste to com me so mad!) ed algebra 38 Scratching or org 27 Puts to work 4 Cookout post material 28 Facebook throwaways 42 Pain relief chitchat, 5 Not feeling brand with informally well an oxymo29 Villain’s base 6 Pub ronic name 31 Some are selection rock-hard 7 Malia’s sister PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 33 Learn about 8 Hi or bye,Lake in on Feb. 7 and snapped a photo. “Now as we come Denise Healy saw this sunset in Walden cat boxes? to the setting of the sun, and Hawaii our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God,” she (Be to Li)the hymn O9Gracious ___ choy wrote, quoting Light. 39 Amazement 10 “Crazy Rich” Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, ON LIN 40 Sound of E people in a @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer sirens 2018 film 41 Vow renewal on 11Facebook. Any of the words “You Should 42 “___ all Be Dancing” be OK” singers 45 Issa in 12 Equity + “Insecure” liabilities 46 French or 14 Suffix artichoke meaning condiment “world” 47 Assignment 16 Hitchhiking for a USDA seed: Var. 2/19 © 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal inspector? 20 Branch www.upuzzles.com (Li to He) offshoot
20
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
|
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
PlantCityObserver.com
If you need a heart procedure, making an appointment with BayCare is standard procedure. From the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and heart rhythm disorders to emergency heart attack care, South Florida Baptist Hospital is your BayCare hospital in Plant City. We use advanced technology like state-ofthe-art imaging and noninvasive diagnostic tests. And we always provide the high level of personal care that BayCare is renowned for. If your primary care doctor suggests you see a cardiologist, we can refer you: (844) 344-1952 or KnowYourHeart.org.
In Tampa Bay, BayCare hospitals are selected most often for people needing cardiac care.
Based on an aggregated number of adults who needed to be admitted to hospitals due to cardiovascular problems as reported by the state of Florida that lived in the four-county area of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk from April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019.
20-1020260-0120